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A fistfight broke out between the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) lawmakers in the Turkish Parliament on late Sunday during the final day of budget deliberations, with MPs exchanging punches in chaotic scenes that lasted approximately 10 minutes.
Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus suspended the session as security officials struggled to separate the brawling lawmakers.
Despite the violence, the 2026 Central Government Budget Law was approved by a vote of 320-249, and the 2024 Final Accounts Law passed 316-247.
The brawl began after a heated exchange between AK Party Bursa MP Mustafa Varank and CHP Group Deputy Chairman Gokhan Gunaydin.
Varank, speaking from the podium, turned to the CHP benches and said, "Bring your general chairman, he shouldn't be afraid of me. Fortunately, our nation knows Ozgur Bey's record very well. Farmers living in cities governed by CHP municipalities are still waiting for the free tractors Ozgur Ozel promised."
CHP Group Deputy Chairman Gunaydin responded sharply, accusing the ruling party of "trying to hit rock bottom with polemics" and claiming the government has "slandered" CHP municipalities.
As CHP Group Deputy Chairman Ali Mahir Basarir stood to protest, the tension between AK Party and CHP MPs escalated from verbal exchanges to shoving, and finally to punches.
Numerous MPs from both parties joined the melee in the center of the chamber. Lawmakers charged at each other, punches flew through the air, and security officials and other MPs struggled to separate the fighters.
The brawl lasted approximately 10 minutes. Scuffles continued even during the recess.
CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahceli were present in the chamber during the fight.
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